The Best in Texas Beaches

Aug 08, 2017 02:47PM
● Published by Ashley Pape

With school buses soon coming
out of retirement for the season,
taking a family vacation may
not be top of mind. However, a beach family getaway is not out of the question,
yet! The Gulf of Mexico may create beaches for ve
U.S. states, but we all know the best ones are found
along the Texas coast. With islands and bays galore
down south, here are some of our favorites.

Stewart Beach, Galveston

Galveston boasts more than 32 miles of Gulf-side
beaches, but not all sand was created equal. There
are seven beach parks along the Gulf coast of
Galveston, but only one is recommended as the
family-friendly one of the bunch. Located on the
northeastern side of Galveston Island, Stewart
Beach has much to offer in terms of amenities. The
restrooms and showers are well taken care of, and Stewart is one of the few beaches with lifeguards on duty. There is
also a souvenir shop and snack bar. Beach wheelchairs make beach
fun accessible for sun worshippers and swimmers of all ages. You
can also rent chairs and umbrellas if you’d rather not feel the burn.
Rest assured the day will remain family-friendly, as no alcohol is
allowed on this beach. Admission ranges from $10 to $12.

If you don’t plan on camping on another beach nearby or
opted not to rent a beach house, there are many hotels along
Galveston’s Gulf coast. But only one can boast status as being the
most historic—at more than 100 years old! The Hotel Galvez and
Spa is located approximately one and a half miles south of Stewart
Beach. It offers not only a premium night’s sleep, but also an onsite
health spa and a fully equipped tness center. The swimming pool
and hot tub make for a well-rounded resort-style experience. While
there may be no need to venture out while staying at the Galvez
(aside from visiting Stewart Beach), the hotel provides bicycles to
guests allowing you to explore the seawall of Galveston Island and
its many restaurants, shops and, of course, beaches. Galveston.com, HotelGalvez.com

Mustang Island, Port Aransas

Families looking for a beach vacation sans myriad of
tourists, perhaps found at other Gulf Coast shores,
should plan to visit Mustang Island. To nd this almost-
hidden gem, make your way south of Corpus Christi
across the John F. Kennedy Memorial Causeway to the
island. With an 18-mile stretch of public shoreline,
Mustang Island is for surfers, sand castle architects,
sunbathers and nature lovers. It’s not unusual for beach
goers to kayak along the coast in the morning, relax
under an umbrella in the afternoon sun and wade in
the warm evening waters of the Gulf admiring some
of the 600 species of native sh—all in one day. And
at the end of your very full day, the question is: Where
will you stay?

You could choose between campsites and RV parks,
but if you are looking to crash in a beach town, look to
Port Aransas or “Port A,” as locals call it. Choose from
hotels, cottages or beach houses—Port A offers all three.
As the only city on Mustang Island, it’s packed with
tons of character in a small-town setting where you can
sleep, shop and dine on island time. When in the Gulf,
do as Gulf diners do—look for the best seafood in town.
Ranked as the No. 1 Port Aransas restaurant by Trip Advi-
sor, Irie’s Island Food promises to serve dishes that put a
twist on local island favorites and those from around the
world. MustangIslandTexas.org, PortAransas.org, IriesIslandFood.com

Matagorda Bay and Beach, Matagorda

If you are looking for the perfect balance of high-activity
and laid-back vacationing, a visit to Matagorda Bay and
Beach is in order. Located at the mouth of the Colorado
River on the upper Texas coast, the town of Matagorda
sees its share of tourists. However, with 22 miles of beach
reachable by vehicle and an additional 33 miles only
accessible by boat, there’s plenty of sand to go around. You
can build sandcastles, search for sand dollars and dip your
feet in the sparkling waters of the bay.

If you’d rather dip a shing line in the bay waters,
there are 55 miles of coastline to explore. The bay itself is
6.6 feet deep and covers approximately 422 square miles.
Known for being one of the best shing locations in the
region, Matagorda Bay has garnered this status based on
its nutrient-rich estuary that is home to more than 21
different types of sh. Whether you prefer wade shing,
drift shing, surf shing or offshore shing from small
boats, the bay—and an additional plethora of rivers,
creeks and bayous—is a sherman’s paradise.

If you can pull yourself away from the shore, we
suggest heading to Poco Playa Bar and Village Restaurant.
This 17,000-square-foot restaurant, bar and artisan
village features a casual indoor and outdoor dining and
drinking eatery, tackle shop, boutique and museum. MatagordaBayTexas.com, PocoPlaya.com